“States cannot address the climate emergency alone. The ability of individuals to mobilize, organise and connect and to contribute to shaping public opinion and decision-making without fear …is essential to the production of effective climate action and just transitions.”
In July 2021, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association presented a report to the General Assembly (A/76/222) on climate justice.
The launch of the report creates momentum to recognize the crucial role civil society plays in the climate movement, and sheds light on the backlash it is facing from public actors. The findings and recommendations of the report can help galvanize action to improve conditions for the climate defenders’ valuable work.
This new briefer by ECNL and ICNL extracts key findings and recommendations from the report, and highlights:
- threats climate defenders face;
- key recommendations for states, businesses and the international community;
- how climate defenders can use the Special Rapporteur's report.